PPCI is pleased to present this session where professionals in the philanthropy field share their career trajectory, what they’ve learned along the way, and how they’ve honed their skills.
Join us at 9:00 am on Wednesday, September 15th to learn about the many pathways to fundraising and philanthropy as we hear from Caitlin Abber, Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships Officer at The Cape Cod Foundation; Gerry Desautels, CFRE, Sr. Development & Communications Officer at Outer Cape Health Services; and moderated by Cyndy Cotton, CFRE, Executive Director of the Osterville Village Library.
This event is FREE to attend with advance registration for current PPCI members; and $10 per person for non-members. To attend this event, please register online via the link below.
About our Speakers
Caitlin Abber
Caitlin’s experience in the nonprofit sector spans grant writing, grant making, coalition building, program management and program evaluation. She is currently the Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships Officer at The Cape Cod Foundation. Caitlin began her career as a Community Health Specialist in the Community Benefits Office of Mount Auburn Hospital and as coordinator of CHNA17. There, she managed grantmaking and capacity building initiatives to community-based organizations across 6 municipalities. Most recently she directed youth, workforce development, and public health education programming at the Allston Brighton Substance Use Task Force and Groundwork Lawrence while raising funds required to expand and sustain these programs. Caitlin has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Sociology from Brandeis University. She also holds a master’s degree in Prevention Science from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is dedicated to providing equitable pathways for individuals and organizations to become empowered and valued leaders who are capable of making the highest possible positive impact in their communities.
Gerry Desautels, CFRE
Gerry Desautels has worked on Cape Cod in the development and communications field for more than two decades. Prior to that he held positions in for-profit marketing and public relations in the Boston area. On Cape Cod and the islands, he has assisted in raising millions of dollars for regional nonprofits in the healthcare, educational and environmental sectors. He has served as senior development and communications officer with Outer Cape Health Services for the past five years. Gerry holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from Boston University. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a 2021 nonprofit management certificate graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. A former co-chair of Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod, Gerry is an active volunteer on the boards of directors of Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands and the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund.
Cyndy Cotton, CFRE
A longtime member of Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands, Cyndy Cotton joined the PPCI board in 2020. A Cape Cod native, Cyndy served as a childhood volunteer at the Osterville Village Library, where she now serves as Executive Director. Her transition to leadership at the 136 year old non-profit follows her years as a library trustee and member of the library’s capital campaign. Cyndy’s contributions to the capital campaign helped achieve the desired result of a brand new 20,000 sq foot library facility in 2012.
Becoming a Certified Fundraising Executive and a graduate of Boston University Professional Fundraising Program are recent accomplishments. In addition to receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International, Cyndy serves on the board for “EforAll,” a tremendously successful entrepreneurial incubator and the Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Cape Cod Women’s Association.
Thank you Sponsors! Brought to you in part by Cape Cod 5, Eastern Bank, Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, Kelley Foundation, and The Cape Cod Foundation.
